Youthville by Daily Trust Tambari

YOUTHVILLE ISSUE #89 9

Friday, July 29, 2016

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...young at heart

Text by Mansur Abubakar

he story of Sprotech technologies is one that continues to impress those familiar with the firm’s humble beginnings in 2001 in Zaria Kaduna State. Today, the company is a port of call for lovers of computers, phones, accessories, repairs and maintenance of appliances. The Chief Executive Officer, Sani Ibrahim in his early 30s said he fell in love with computers and technology at a tender age and decided nothing will bring him more joy than going into the sector full time. “It started from my bedroom as an idea and I kept working towards making it a reality and the challenges were enormous at the start especially at the early stages but we’ve been able to make our mark.” Ibrahim said. Sprotech’s impact is being felt not only in Zaria where it operates from but as far as neighbouring countries like Niger, Mali and Chad whose citizens have been trained by the company’s repairs and maintenance section and are now back in their respective nations flying the flag high. “When I started in 2001, computers and the internet were still new in Nigeria. You could count the number of cyber cafes easily. So many people consulted me for guidance on how to operate and maintain computers,” he explained. Ibrahim said after few years, more awareness was created farther into Kano, Katsina and Zamfara states. Sprotech’s services were offered there before crossing to neighbouring countries, he said. Ibrahim said: “We have trained quite a number of persons from Chad, Niger and Mali and as I speak to you now they are back in their countries with a similar outfit rendering technology

he Class of 2016 graduating students of American University of Nigeria (AUN) Academy has being reminded on the need to focus on service to humanity and developing their society wherever they are. President of AUN, Margee Ensign in her speech enjoined the graduating students not to forget their roots saying, “As you go on from here to higher education, please do not forget our focus on service and development. Your lives and those who are fortunate will be enriched by ensuring that those without the privileges you enjoy also have the opportunity for a better life,” she said. The best graduating student, Ashraf Salihu Bakari, 17, who aced all other 32 students in Maths, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology said the success was made

21yr old Nigerian bags 1st class degree in UK

Techy CEO speaks: My computer firm, Sprotech, started from the bedroom related services like computer sales and repairs.” The firm which celebrated its 15 year anniversary recently still has challenges of funding and accessibility to products. “If we had more capital we would have expanded more than this; to get some products, we have to travel either to Lagos or abroad to get them,” he said. Ibrahim said despite all the challenges his company isn’t resting on its oars as it has opened

‘Students must focus on service, development’ Text by Chidimma C. Okeke

Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever. – Keri Russell

possible through hard work. He said: “My Dad told me that the key to every success, no matter how big it is, is always hard work, perseverance and patience.” Bakari who also had the highest score in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and emerged the overall best in the Northeast at a Chemistry Olympiad said he aspires to be a medical doctor. He said the school influenced him, nurtured him, and made him look forward to realizing his dream of becoming a medical doctor. Executive Director of the school, Mrs. Nkem Uzowulu said the students did not just achieve academic excellence, but are also found worthy in character. Highlights of the ceremony include academic and special awards for the graduating and presentation of speeches.

a new arm working to contribute in solving the lingering power crisis. He said: “Under Sprotech’s sister company MSI Tech Plus, we sell all kinds of solar power panels, inverters and batteries. We will help you install and maintain them for up to a year. “I can tell you that the business is good now since more people are turning to solar due to the power outage issue,” Ibrahim explained.

wenty-one year old Husna Umar Ibrahim from Kano state, has just achieved a feat she bagged earning a First Class degree in Architectural Technology at the Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom. She also won award for the best Final Year Project which she wrote on the urban floods resilience in Lagos, Nigeria. In her first year, Husna got an award for outstanding performance in the university which is one of the oldest in England, tracing its roots to 1823. The University is well known for providing training, education and research particularly to the maritime industry. Husna attended Adesoye College, Offa, where she finished with 5.0 GPA. She was the Head Girl of the school, the lead speaker of the school debate team and the Amirah of the Muslim Society before she left for the university. With the outstanding performance, Husna has been offered a scholarship by the university to pursue a PhD programme, cutting her off from a Master’s degree. This piece was written by Ibrahim Kabir Sule @ ikabirsule, a former Youthville reporter

Nigerian youth are creative, says entrepreneur, Igwe

Text by Latifat Opoola (@LatifatOpoola)

“

After my secondary school education, I couldn’t proceed due to lack of finance, so I started hustling

to make ends meet,” said Igwe Collins, the CEO of Shoe Farm. Igwe who started mending and making shoes as a child said he can’t recall how he learnt the trade.

He said: “I am a very creative person even as a child. I would pick cardboard and make sippers for myself, later I graduated to buying materials used in making sandals for myself and friends and that was how I perfected the art.” He started the business in 2002 with N5,000 in Abuja and kept expanding with the profit he made. The young entrepreneur who now employs six others makes over N10,000 daily, he told our reporter. His clients include students, uniformed men and individuals with love for casual footwear, adding that he gets orders for supplies daily. Igwe’s challenge is huge funds to buy machineries and improve his business. He urged government to help provide more accessible platforms on financial support for young entrepreneurs. Igwe advised Nigerian youth to embrace entrepreneurship saying most of them have creative minds that must be tapped into.

DAILY TRUST, Friday, July 29, 2016

YOUTHVILLE

Music: Tankolowiska springs out with ‘Bolaji’

‘Poetry prize for promoting excellence’ Text by Bamas Victoria @BamasVictoria

oetry promoters, Words Rhymes & Rhythm Publishers (WRR Ltd) and Something for Everybody Ventures (SFEV) have announced the call for entries to the 2016 edition of the annual Eriata Oribhabor Poetry Prize (EOPP). The prize which is in its 5th edition and opened to Nigerians demands entries with sub-themes including unity, truth, justice, and change. One of the organisers at the briefing, Iruesiri Samson said, “The prize is dedicated to promoting literary excellence in Nigeria. Iruesiri added that N80,000 cash will be awarded to the winners – N50,000 for the Winner, N20,000 for the First Runner-up and N10,000 for the Second Runner-

Text from Nurudeen Oyewole, Lagos

itting out with his third single since ince -pop 2011 when he debuted, Afro-pop larly singer, Ishola Olayinka, popularly known as, “Tankolowiska” now has a new album tagged: ‘Bolaji’. eans: A literary translation of the title means: “wake with wealth”, produced by the record label, produced by Gospel on r-old de Beatz. According to the 31-year-old sed artiste, the single is one effort, well fused ee et with samples “rhyming lyrics with sweet melodies and memorable track”. ake “Trust me; everybody wants to wake lly up with wealth. The song basically ple e passes a message about treating people eirr with respect without knowing their status. And for me that is humility at its best,” Tankolowiska said. Before his latest work, Tankolowiska has released “Ibadie Nsoro” as well as “Titilailai” before collaborating with pop star, Olamide in his hit track “Bass line”. A graduate of Lead City University, Ibadan, Tankolowiska also said he is

undaunted with the competitiveness in the industry because music is a passion he really cannot ignore. “The sky is just the springboard. I am quite optimistic and I believe my passion for music will take me beyond the sky,” he said.

Ambassadors task youth on peace building Text from Bashir Liman, Jos

mbassadors of Peace (AOP), a network of members committed to selfless service at building lasting peace beyond the boundaries of ethnicity, culture and religion has tasked on youths to participate on peace building across the country. The Plateau state coordinator, Amb. Paul Daniel said this while speaking during civic reception in honour of Prof. Andrew Haruna on his appointment as Vice Chancellor

Federal University Gashua, Yobe state organized by the group at Kings Bite British America in Jos yesterday. He explained that all people regardless of culture, nationality, religion, race and ethnic groups are members of one family created by God; therefore youths must to come together and build a long lasting peace in Nigeria. He added that no community or society will develop without peace, and stressed that youth should shun violence and embrace peace in order to achieve sustainable development in the country.

14 contestants admitted into Project Fame 9

up. Giving reasons for the prize, he said it is to engage Nigerian young poets creatively, thereby empowering them to develop their creativity towards literary excellence. The Judging Panel for the EOPP 2016 is chaired by the Chief Operating Officer of WRR, Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom, with French poet and promoter of African Poetry, Brigitte Poirson, and Nigerian poet and Sickle Cell awareness campaigner, Awodiya Funke as members. The Prize Patron, Eriata Oribhabor said, “One of the best ways to keep the creative and educative tempo among the youths is by initiating literary activities. This has been the driving force for my passion for promotion of literature.”

Teen Choice Awards holds in Abuja soon – Organisers …30,000 entries received

Text by Mustapha Suleiman

his year`s edition of Nigerian Teen Choice Awards (NTCA) is coming up in Abuja in August, organizers of the event had revealed. They said several entertainers and celebrities including Wizkid would grace the 5th edition of the awards for budding Nigerian youth exploring their creative talents in music, arts, fashion, sports and entrepreneurship. Tagged “The Big 5”, the event billed for the Congress Hall of the highbrow Transcorp Hilton, Abuja will feature five major activities including meet and

greet, fashion expo, barbecue, dinner. Football tournament has been included in this edition to help in discovering soccer stars. Founder/Chief Executive Officer of NTCA, Nelson Ese Williams said in Abuja that nomination for entries which opened June 10, had received over 30,000 entries. He explained that the awards increased to 60 categories would be for grabs for teenagers to youth aged 24. Williams, who noted that the Award was the first of its kind in Africa, as Ghana’s has just entered its second year, said the central idea behind it was the promotion of creativity through recognition of excellence.

Ar- Rahman School graduates 119 students in Abuja

Text from Abdullateef Aliyu, Lagos

fter weeks of various auditions across West Africa, in search of the next set of music diamonds, the Project Fame Season 9 Academy has admitted 14 contestants for the new season. The lucky contestants were unveiled at the Opening Gala held at Ultima studios in Lagos amidst suspense as contestants and audience eagerly awaited the verdicts of the judges. The performance of season 8 winner, Jeff thrilled the audience as he sang his debut single titled ‘Never let you go’. For the contestants who hoped to get the baton from Jeff, the Judges selected 12, saying they had fully convinced them that they deserved a spot each in the Academy. In the end, Kitay and Steve made it in. For Kissi, Seun, Benjamin, and Blessing, it was time to say goodbye- but not the final goodbye as they will automatically assume the Wild Card contestant positions. Overall winner of the contestant is expected to grab N5 Million, a brand new SUV, and a recording contract worth millions of Naira while first runner-up: N3million and a brand new saloon car. The second runner-up would get N2million and a brand new saloon car while N2million is up for grab for the third runner-up.

Text by Mulikatu Mukaila

bout 119 students graduated from Ar-Rahman International School in Abuja at its fourth graduation ceremony last weekend. While 45 were in the senior section, 74 others graduated from the junior section. Parents of the students especially those who bagged series of prizes were thrilled with joy during the prize giving segment of the

ceremony. The outgoing head girl and one of the best graduands, Fatima Shehu Bustani said her dream is to attend the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University to read Medicine and Surgery. Advising those who are still battling with their studies, she said: “They should always pay attention to their studies no matter the situation they find themselves as education is the key to success in life.”

Let us live for the beauty of our own reality. - Charles Lamb

The school principal, Alhaji Suleiman Garba in his address said the graduates should remember to be good ambassadors of the school, adding that the Islamic education which they have learnt from the school should always reflect in their character. The school coordinator, Hajiya Asma’u Gumi said it is mission accomplished for students to graduate and move forward into another stage of their lives.